Welding Co-ordinator

Welding Co-ordinator

Hydram Engineering | Chilton, County Durham

Contract

Permanent

Hours

Full-time (38.5 hrs/wk)

Working pattern

Mon–Thu 8:00am–5:00pm, Fri 8:00am–12:30pm (early finish)

Location

Site-based, Chilton, with occasional travel for audits, customer visits and external testing

Start date

1st October 2026

Right to work

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK

About Hydram Engineering

Hydram Engineering is a leading supplier of sheet metal and tubular components, assemblies and light fabrications to customers throughout the UK, from our 150,000 sq.ft. factory in Chilton, County Durham. We provide the full range of subcontract engineering services, including tube and sheet laser cutting, bending, fabrication, powder coating and assembly, supplying market-leading companies in sectors such as rail, off-highway vehicles and white goods, and employ over 200 people.

Welding quality is central to that reputation. Our welding activities are certified to ISO 3834, EN 15085, DIN 2303 and ECWRV, and maintaining those standards while embedding a genuine "right first time" culture on the shop floor is a key part of how we continue to serve demanding customers across rail, off-highway and other regulated sectors.

About the Role

The Welding Co-ordinator plays a crucial role in supporting the Welding Supervisors and Production Manager, ensuring adherence to welding standards and quality control across the site. Reporting to the Quality Manager, you'll develop, implement and control all welding activities, with a focus on enhancing weld quality and embedding a genuine "right first time" philosophy.

You'll act as the responsible Welding Co-ordinator for the site, overseeing welding qualifications and procedures, inspecting and testing welded joints, and supporting the wider Quality team on welding-related audits, rejects and customer complaints.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain the welding quality management systems and certifications in line with ISO 3834, EN 15085, DIN 2303 and ECWRV, liaising with certification bodies during audits
• Act as the responsible Welding Co-ordinator for the site, overseeing welding qualifications and implementing new standards as required
• Inspect and test welded joints on all components, ensuring compliance with drawings and customer specifications
• Perform destructive and non-destructive testing on welded joints, preparing samples for external testing where necessary
• Implement rework processes for nonconforming components, and carry out periodic inspections to ensure conformity to customer requirements
• Ensure welding bay audits are carried out according to schedule
• Create and maintain standard operating procedures for new and existing parts
• Support the Quality team with customer complaints relating to welding defects, reviewing internal rejects and implementing corrective actions
• Develop WPQRs and create and allocate WPSs as per customer requirements
• Implement and maintain WQRs for welding personnel, and maintain associated records and skills matrices
• Liaise with the Engineering Team and conduct welding technical reviews in line with customer requirements
• Assist in the selection of new welding personnel, provide training to new and existing staff, and mentor apprentices throughout their training
• Support the NDT Technician with their continuing professional development

What We're Looking For

Essential

• CSWIP 3.1 Welding Inspector qualification
• PCN Level 2 PT (Penetrant Testing)
• Extensive background in metal fabrication and welding
• Relevant experience of quality management systems and compliance with ISO standards
• Proven track record in training and developing welding personnel
• Strong understanding of welding processes, including MAG and TIG, with metals such as carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminium
• Ability to understand and interpret engineering drawings, including welding symbols and technical specifications
• Experience in visual inspection, with the ability to identify and differentiate welding defects
• Experience of destructive and non-destructive testing methods
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, able to work individually or as part of a team
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
• Flexible approach to tasks, with a willingness to travel

Desirable

• HNC or equivalent in welding and fabrication
• Experience in the rail sector would be highly desirable

Why Join Us?

This is a genuine opportunity to take ownership of welding quality and compliance within an established and successful North East manufacturing business, with real influence over how welding standards are set, maintained and developed across Hydram, and direct involvement in training and mentoring the next generation of welding talent.

This is a permanent position, offering long-term stability alongside real scope for professional development as you build out the welding quality function at Hydram.

Benefits

Attractive salary, dependent on skills, knowledge and experience

25 days' holiday + 8 bank holidays

Early finish on Fridays

Company pension scheme contributions

Wellbeing and employee assistance benefits

Be part of an established, growing, and sustainable business

Work for a business that will champion your growth and development